THE 10 BEST THERAPISTS

A previous article I wrote called 'The 10 worst therapists' a while ago highlighted some of the flaws and issues I see in many therapists across all the professions. However, I thought it's also time to look at the other side of the coin and discuss what are the 10 attributes and traits of the best therapists I know across all the professions.

However, before we get started if you want to become a better therapist then please check out THE BETTER CLINICAL PROJECT HERE.

Now before I start this is not an exhaustive list and these are by no means all my own traits. If I'm being honest I reckon I score around a 5 or 6 here, with me slipping on some of these traits from time to time. In fact I seriously doubt any of you could say you are all 10 of these, all the time. However, I think if we all tried a little harder to score as high as we can, as often as we can, then I don't think we can go far wrong. So without further ado, here are my 10 best therapists.

No 1: The Caring Therapist 

It almost goes without saying that therapists should care about their patient's issues and outcomes. The best therapists will be genuinely interested in their patient's problems and will want to help and assist them with their goals and aspirations as much as they can. The best therapists will be compassionate and considerate and can demonstrate this to their patients with ease.

But I do recognise that caring for others can be really hard to do all the time with everyone you see, and I have discussed before how no therapist can care more about a patients issues and outcomes more than the patient themselves. However, there are some therapists who are just better than others when it comes to caring, and some who just shouldn't be working with people at all. If you as a therapist find yourself NOT caring about your patients more often than not then you need to get out of this profession fast.

No 2: The Passionate Therapist

I don't mean passionate as romantically, I mean passionate about their profession and their role. The best therapists will be driven about what they do and why they do it. A passionate therapist will always look for ways to learn, understand, and improve. Passionate therapists will take pride in all they do and are confident to tell others.

However, this is a fine line as passion can soon turn into obsession that can become ugly and embarrassing. Obsessive therapists tend to over promote and over exaggerate what they do and how they do it. But then there are also those on the other side of the spectrum who are full of lethargy and apathy, coasting along not giving a fuck about anything or anyone.

No 3: The Knowledgeable Therapist

Notice how I didn't say experienced or qualified. Of course, experience and qualifications are important, but they don't guarantee the best therapists. The best therapists  will be knowledgeable about the research and current evidence base regardless of how many years they have been doing the job. The knowledgeable therapist will say up to date with changes in research and practice to ensure that they offer the best advice and treatment for their patients.

Unfortunately, there are some therapists who have been qualified for years who begin to think that they have seen it all and know it all and quickly become out of date. And then there are some newly qualified therapists who arrogantly think that they have had the latest training and information so they know it all. There is an old saying that you can have 10 years experience or 1 years experience 10 times over. I think the best therapists have both.

No 4: The Uncertain Therapist

This may seem strange to include as uncertainty is often seen as a negative trait in lots of areas especially healthcare. However, I find the best therapists will be confident with uncertainty and recognise that often there are no black and white answers or treatments (except of course dead lifts).

The best therapists are comfortable with uncertainty and able to pass this onto their patients informing them of all the options and pros and cons of these. The best therapists work together with their patients rather than being certain that they know what is best for them. Uncertainty is something we all need to accept and tolerate more and despite fears and concerns, uncertainty can be really useful as it forces us to think more.

No 5: The Accessible Therapist

There is no point being a great therapist if no one can find, hear, or see you. The best therapists are present and available online and in person having appointments at times to fir patients lifestyles, not just the routine 9-5. The best therapists also have appointments that allow sufficient time for patients to be heard and treated and not feel rushed and hurried out the door.

Again there is a fine line as some therapists can be too accessible, seeing everyone and anyone they can, sometimes double, or even treble booking patients in at the same time. Just remember that a popular or busy therapist doesn't automatically mean they are the best therapist.

No 6: The Sharing Therapist

The best therapists feel confident and comfortable to share their ideas and information freely and frequently. The best therapists will give their views and opinions on how and what should and could be done on various things in various ways. The best therapists are also confident in transparency happy to allow others shadow and observe them working.

Be wary of the therapist who only shares their views and ideas on their pay for view content or courses, or at conferences during their keynote presentations. In this age of social media and instant access, the best therapists will share information freely on blogs, podcasts, and webinars for all to see and access.

No 7: The Funny Therapist

Humour is important in healthcare for a number of reasons. First, it can help patients relax, stay calm, even be distracted when in pain or stressed. Humour can also help build therapeutic relationships between therapists and patients breaking down traditional hierarchal barriers and helping to establish rapport and common ground.

The funniest therapists are often the best critical thinkers, as my mate Erik talks about here. Being funny requires the same skill set as critical thinking, no funny, no thinking. Also, there is nothing worse than a therapist who is oh-so serious all the time, who can't appreciate a joke, some satire, or even a bit of sarcasm which is commonly considered to be the lowest form of humour, but actually is one of the highest forms of intelligence.

No 8: The Good Looking Therapist

This is also another trait you may have not been expecting but the best therapists are often the best looking therapists. This is not the most politically correct statement but the fact is we all are more likely to trust and accept what a good looking person has to say over a not so good looking person, it's human nature, and backed by science.

Fortunately, most therapists are pretty damn good looking people, with a few frightful exceptions, usually the academics. Most therapists tend to practice what they preach living healthy, active lifestyles and taking good care of their themselves and their appearance. However, if you are blessed with a face that looks like you've had a fire on it put out with a shovel and that only a mother could love, don't panic as it's worth remembering that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but maybe dim the lights a little!

No 9: The Humble Therapist

Humility is a trait that a lot of people think they have but don't actually have. If you think you are humble it's most likely that you are not, a bit like intelligence and attractiveness. The most humble therapists have the confidence and dignity not constantly shout about how good or wonderful they are in treating, teaching, or just existing. The best therapists don't constantly flash their patient testimonials or course feedback comments all the time.

The most humble therapists will be confident in letting their actions speak for themselves and will not take compliments well, feeling awkward with praise for doing what they see is just their job. However, as with all things, there is another side with the humble therapist in that they can be reluctant to say anything negative or challenge things for fear of appearing confrontational. The best humility I find is found within quiet confidence with a sharp edge of criticism.

No 10: The Honest Therapist

I saved the best and most important trait for the end. The best therapists are simply the most honest therapists. Being honest is something that is important in all aspects of life, but particularly when you are in a position of trust and responsibility, working with those that maybe vulnerable and susceptible such as those in pain often are.

The best therapists are usually brutally honest about what they can and can't do, and don't claim that their treatments perform magic or miracles. The best therapists are ruthlessly honest and not afraid to tell patients to see someone else better suited to help them if they can help. The best therapists are also not afraid to call out others dishonesty, bull shit and bluster when and where necessary.

Conclusion

So there you have it, my 10 best types of therapists, as I said at the beginning it's not an exhaustive list and one that could be added to many times. In fact, I'd love to hear some of your thoughts on what traits you think should be included that make for a great therapist so please leave your comments below.

As always, thanks for reading
Adam